The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-03-26
THE FAMILY POCKET BOOK.
BY +. r. WILSON.


stopped for friend, on the way to
my work, one day last week. His
wife called him back, and | heard her
say:
''Wfl, / must have some money.
We are out Of"
"Nearly everything, of course" he
interrupted. al gave you $40, Mon
day"
"But / had TO buy the children's
shoes, and pay for"
"Well, here's $40 more, and for
heavens sake make IL last t0l the end
of the week"
had watched the life and bright
ness fade out Of her face since her
marriage, and had wondered at the
tired, depressed look that had sue
cceded IL, at the fretful impotence
with her children that had clouded
over the old sweet and sunny temper
that never failed her young brothers
and sisters. Was this the explana-
ton? He carried the family pocket
book, while she was the family quar-
termaster and purchaser held to strict
account that everything should be in
the proper place at the proper time,
and in the proper way, but without
power TO purchase, or TO fulfill CON
tracts, or TO provide for household
wants. win is at the head of a me-
chanical department, and has been re-
ceiying $40 or $50 weekly for the past
ten years--a careless, good natured
fellow. who would not listen to any
thing for three minutes.
BY chance, that afternoon, | was of
fered desk and book case for about
an eighth OF its value, and knowing
that Dick, the head of another de-
partment, receiving $40 salary, had
said that he needed one badly for
work at his house, sent for him and
proposed that he should take adyan-
tage of the chance.
"Ill let you know in the morning.
ne said, "after / have talked IL over
with my wife. / want it, but $25 is
much too large an amount TO take out
of my money, and / can't interfere
with my wifes"
'Do you and your wife carry sep
arate pocket-booksg" / asked, as we
sat down TO lunch. In explanation Of
my curiosity i repeated the CONVERSE
ton / had overheard that morning.
Dick smiled.
"Of course we do. My wife never
asked me for penny In her life--ex-
cept--for change, as you would ask
me-"
"Would you mind explaining how
you manage your linances!'
"Certainly not. Just before we were
married, / heard Ba'dwin's wife say
that she intended 10 tease her husband
until he bought her a bracelet. and
that she bought sealskin sacque with
the money she had taken out OF his
pockets without his knowing IL. That
set me 20 thinking. If my married
life was TO have anything like that In
IL, i should certainly resign. The
first day we were married, sitting on
the veranda. l proposed TO my wife
that she should be Secretary Of the
Treasury. She knew my income; !
told her of my expenditures, and gave
her my savings. She consented. IL
was then and there agreed that | was
To have 81, weekly, for car fares,
lunches, tobacco. drinks, and the like.
The remaining $50 were 10 be the
family revenue, which she was TO take
charge OF, and with IL provide for
everything needed. 60 the best of her
ability. Every Saturday night handed
her $50. When my salary was raised,
took 81 and 81 were added TO the
family fund. She governs and reign.
/ have no responsibility for the home
management. She plans everything
provides everything, and attends 10
every detail, large or small. | have
enough of that kind OF worry in man.
aging that department of mine with,
out having TO make up yearly estimates
for my household expenses, and e
prepare an the different household
appropriation bills. am not qualified
TO interfere or meddle with her adj
mlnIstration. / doubt IL any mar